My streamer doesn't have a good fantom centerDSP


All vintage analog system, Cambridge Audio streamer using built in DAC. Radio (yes, I listen to it regularly) and Vinyl both have huge sound stage, great image, it sounds like voices are coming directly out from my audio rack. However, when playing my streamer, it's more like just L/R speakers. That center image isn't always there. 

My streamer software/firmware are up to date, cables are connected correctly, use Tidal Connect with MAX bitrate. It does sound great, very clean, clear, great dynamics, good sound stage, but the center is just not right. 

My thoughts are that my speakers are setup correctly, due to the other sources working just fine. Not using any signal adjustments in the streamer (DPS, EQ).

Thinking might need to invest in a better streamer? Mine is a budget one after all. 

mswale

I get the feeling that looking at the streamer, dac, cables etc is looking the wrong way. 

First, I would check the source. Test music in mono, if you can do it. Use good natural sounding recordings that have a focus on the central image. Avoid fancy productions and stereo on stereoids with overbusy left and right channels. With good sources you should get a clear central image, at least from the vinyl. Check that the volume from mono recordings sounds exactly balanced, left and right. There is your phantom centre. In fact, with mono, that's all you hear. 

Next I would check speaker placement. Maybe your speakers should be moved closer together. You say music sounds "huge" with vinyl. Maybe too huge? Try reducing the distance, a little bit at a time, not too much. You want to keep a wide soundstage, but increase the emphasis on the central image. Allow the stereo speakers to sound a bit more "mono" by reducing the distance between them. Finally, experiment with toe-in, to get the image just right.  

Hopefully you will discover that the central image is in fact there, in your digital sources too. It is just that the speakers can be better aligned to the room. 

 

 

@erik_squires ​​@o_holter Do not think it's placement, or room issue. 

Listening to the radio right now, my speakers have disappeared, there is a big sound stage, voices are dead center, there is a 3d image of where each instrument is in space. Vinyl is the same. 

At my listening chair, it sounds like my plants, my rack, my walls are all producing sound. My speakers are 8ft apart, and I'm 10ft away, they are pointed at each shoulder at ear level. Think the speakers are in the correct spot. Not going to adjust everything for  digital to loose what I have on analog. Not every streamed song is like that, most are. It's just weird to have the speakers disappear, then come back, then go again. It kind of kills the vibe. Also when streaming, I'm all over the place and not doing full albums, just playlist of variable quality. 

So far I get " this is what digital is" "DAC's all sound like this" I either need to live with it, invest in a better streamer. 

That’s not how digital is. Even at modest price points you get decent performance. 
Are you using an aftermarket power cords on Cambridge? Is it plugged into some power strip? 

Because of different resolution rates on songs from different albums is why I don’t do playlist on a streaming service. Just like you described one song is glorious, and the next is like listening to a string and tin can. That effect still remains, even though it gets somewhat better when you upgrade to a new streamer. My suggestion would be to listen to albums when it’s digital time. 

It's just weird to have the speakers disappear, then come back, then go again. It kind of kills the vibe.

This doesn't tell me it isn't the room or speaker placement, honestly.  This just tells me the room/speakers are better for some than others. 

Try this, if you can.  Put the speakers about 3-4' apart and sit close to them.  See if that gives you a much more consistent experience.  If it does, it's your room.